AROUND 17,500 patients in Colwyn Bay are desperately in need of a new medical centre.

Doctors at Rysseldene and Rhoslan surgeries cover patients from Colwyn, Rhos on Sea and Old Colwyn.

They have been seeking new facilities for a number of years without success.

Assembly Member Darren Millar said: “The people of Colwyn Bay deserve to be served by a modern medical centre which can deliver 21st century primary healthcare.

“Rysseldene and Rhoslan surgeries are no longer fit for purpose.

“Access for disabled patients is poor, and storage space is so short that equipment and medical records are being stacked in hallways and corridors.”

Mr Millar’s sentiments were echoed by local councillors. Cllr Brian Cossey is also a patient at Rhoslan Surgery.

“We are all aware of the problems. The surgeries at the moment are converted houses – all councillors are hoping for what’s best for the doctors and patients.

“Doctors have been concerned for some time as the number of patients is increasing. They take people from a large number of areas.

“There is definitely no complaint over the standard of care at either of the surgeries, just the facilities.”

Cllr Cossey hopes a new masterplan for Colwyn Bay will include some provision for heathcare.

““Colwyn Bay is in a process of regeneration and I hope that this can in some way be covered by that,” he said.

According to Darren Millar, the existing premises on Conwy Road and Pwllycrochan Avenue have insufficient treatment and therapy rooms, poor disabled access and an acute lack of storage for medical records.

He added: “I am determined that my constituents should have access to the very best medical facilities and will be working with GPs at these practices to secure a new, purpose-built healthcare facility in the town which compliments regeneration initiatives in the area.

“Other towns in North Wales have modern, 21st century health care facilities. Colwyn Bay should too.”

Patients in both Abergele and west Rhyl have benefited from new primary care facilities in the past 12 months.

Diane Lewis is the practice manager at Rysseldene Surgery. She says the quality of the two surgeries has been an issue for some time but was hopeful that something could be done in the future.

“I think Darren Millar has said everything there is to say about the state of the practices,” she said.